Please don't read this...

[Anonymous]

...as a boastful diatribe. I am just excited and feel like I accomplished something. As insignificant as it will appear to the grizzled veterans among you it is a major benchmark for me.
Last night a Western Pacific F7 A/B unit pulled seven boxcars in a circle in my garage.
Now, before you ridicule me, which incidently I hope you do not, please understand that I am a little over a month into this realm, and two weeks of this time I spent in the hospital with my wife and our new son who remains there yet. However I have built benchwork, added some lighting and electrical work to our garage, completed a few boxcars and last night conected a loop of true track to a MRC power pack and it worked; innitially I had my doubts.
We, myself and my 5-year-old son, were giddy with delight. Perhaps me more so as I found myself being very protective of "my" train and very hesitant to let him touch or run the engine. I took some pictures and would like to post them here to share what I have been doing and learning with you folks, but I am having a hard time with the digital camera software for now. I will continue to work on the camera aspect though because so many of you in a number of ways have contributed to my model railroad. I would like you to see what I, with your help, have done. Even though in reality you could probably care less[:)]
Respectfully,
Jacob

[Cox 47]

This could be the start of something big....... Good Luck Cox 47

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you and the heir to your fortune are hooked for life. And in reality we care about your experience way more than we care about DCC, horns on dash9's and eBay put together. Keep up the great work!

[Covina Mike]

Jacob -

Your enthusiasm is a delight and a welcome gift, reminding many of us of what it was that got us "hooked" in the beginning. I, for one, look forward to your continued sharing and pictures and second Bill's sentiment!

Mike

[rrinker]

I remember well the first time I got a train to run around on the various layouts I've built over the years. That fact that it moved you meas you are well and fully hooked - which is nothign but good. I also remember workign on the layouts with my Dad when I was your son's age - this is a great family hobby. You might want to let him pick out a car just for himself, if you haven't done so already, and always run it in the train when he's around - no matter if it's out of place for what you are trying to model. He'll certainly understand the joys of having something that is truly his at this age, even if he can't appreciate the finer points of modelling proper prototypes - that will come later, and is something you can explore together.

I hope everything works out well with your new son as well.

--Randy

[egmurphy]

I'm glad that after your post of the other day talking about how your son was anxious to see the train run that you managed to at least get something running. Good for you.

QUOTE: I would like you to see what I, with your help, have done. Even though in reality you could probably care less...

au contraire, lots of us are curious to know what others are up to, and we're especially happy when we see modelers passing the love of the hobby on to kids.


Regards

Ed

[IRONROOSTER]

Every layout I have built, it's always a thrill to run that first train over the first track.

BTW let your son run the train even if it means gluing a stop on the power pack so he can't rev it up too much. I have a power pack from Germany I used with my boys when they were young. Since it was designed for 220v current, using it on 110v current meant it's max output to the track was about 7v.
Enjoy
Paul

[selector]

I am happy to hear that you are running trains. They all have to go where you lay the track, so who cares is it is in a circle? If it is a train, and it is running, it is just fine in my books. [tup][swg]

[NZRMac]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JnM Lines
and two weeks of this time I spent in the hospital with my wife and our new son who remains there yet.

I hope everything is ok with your new boy.
Keep us posted.

Ken.

[davekelly]

Could care less? No way!! Getting a train moving on the new layout - whether it is the first or tenth is a way cool experience!!! In any event what you accomplished got you to smile alot - and as far as I am concerned that is the point of this whole hobby!!!!!

CONGRATS!!!!![tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup]

[BRJN]

I do not see why you are so down on yourself. It has taken me more than a year to get from START (buy first train-related item - the laser cut GE sign in the 2003 Walthers catalog) to where I am now. I currently have a bunch of wood shelf parts in the trunk of may car. Someday soon I will take them out and screw them together, then put a plank on top and lay track on top of it.

So you are actually farther along than I am. Be ye pleased! Forward progress partakes of the good!

[BRVRR]

Congrats!!![bow]
Now the fun begins! Have you run out of space yet?
Good luck with your new project!

[JohnT14808]

Boy, with a "come on" title like that...I had to read it!! And congratulations on completing phase one of 2956. The next phase is buying more of everything and will take you several years to complete, but will get you through phase 744. Good Luck on your railroading endeavors.
I too, hope your newborn is getting better and that your wife is home and recuperating as well.

[Kurn]

And before ya know it,you'll be saying,"But honey,I've GOT to have that brass loco"..........